Archive for the 'The Murder City Devils' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

Nathan Willett couldn’t hold back the sentimentality at the start of a four-song encore at the Observatory on Friday night. Who could blame him? The singer was wrapping up a tour that lasted nearly the entirety of 2013, and which came full circle, beginning at the Bootleg Theatre in February, with a show at the Observatory the next week, only to end in this same Santa Ana spot, virtually a hometown show for a band that has been based in both Fullerton and Long Beach.

But while it might seem a neat and fitting conclusion to this part of Cold War Kids’ history, like the end of a chapter in a long novel, their story has less and less to do with the actual lineup that now exists.

Prior to the recording of this year’s underrated Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, the group’s fourth full-length work, founding guitarist Jonnie Russell left. Drummer Matt Aveiro also has exited: whether temporarily or permanently isn’t clear, but he’s been replaced recently by Modest Mouse anchor Joe Plummer. Russell’s substitute, Dann Gallucci, also has Modest Mouse roots and is playing in the Murder City Devils; touring keyboardist Matthew Schwartz will join MCD as well when they headline here Tuesday night.

Essentially, Cold War Kids is becoming a revolving door of pedigreed but hired hands, great musicians who nonetheless make the band’s back-story seem less relevant.

The now-legendary punk band, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary with another tour and plans to issue a new album this fall, already have five nights on the books at House of Blues Anaheim, kicking off on St. Patrick's Day and continuing March 18, then returning for more on March 31 and April 1-2. In between come stops at HOB San Diego (March 19-21), HOB Sunset Strip (March 24-25) and HOB Las Vegas (March 26-27).

Also, Ben Folds, who we mentioned Monday will play two piano-only shows at the Music Box at the Fonda in Hollywood, will headline the Downtown Disney joint just after that, on May 14. Tickets, $32.50-$67.50, are on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Also at the club and on sale at that time: Latin star Enrique Bunbury, May 26, $37.50-$67.50 ... and Jonny Lang with Moreland & Arbuckle, June 5, $40-$67.50.

We mentioned last week that the cast of the Fox show Glee will perform live May 20-21 at Gibson Amphitheatre. Now a third show has been added, May 22. Pre-sale tickets are already available to American Express card-holders. Remaining seats go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Prices: $44.25-$84.25.

Rimes, the 27-year-old who has made more lately headlines for her rocky love life than for her music, will play the venue on Aug. 12, by which time perhaps she'll have a new album out. (She's due for one this year.)

The Top, co-fronted by guitarist Billy Gibbons (pictured, from their August bash at the Mouse House) also reportedly have a fresh one in the works for later this year as well — it'll be the Hall of Fame trio's first since the poorly received Mescalero seven years ago. Perhaps it, too, will be sitting in Best Buy racks by the time the group plays Pacific on Aug. 15.

Tickets — $19.50-$49.50 for Rimes, $39.50-$69.50 for ZZ Top — go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. The box office at the OC Fair & Event Center, which will host its annual county fair alongside Pacific's run, will be open that day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., if you're looking to avoid some Ticketmaster fees.